Trust and the government: Learn what you need to know to guide coverage, tomorrow

Public trust in the government has dipped to historic lows in recent years after being on the decline for decades. In 2024, just 23 percent of Americans reported that they trust the federal government, down from 35 percent in 2022, according to a national survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service.

Within hours of President Donald Trump taking office, he signed a flurry of executive orders pulling back protections for federal employees and altering government operations, making it more important than ever for journalists to understand what the public expects of its government and how these policies might impact civil servants on a local level.

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute and Partnership for Public Service on Friday, Feb. 7,  for a briefing that will prepare journalists to cover politics with their audience in mind, while noting their unique role in how the public perceives — and trusts — their federal government.

Registration is open for this free virtual briefing on Friday, Feb. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. ET.

Participants will hear from:

• Max Stier, founding president and CEO, Partnership for Public Service. Stier has worked previously in all three branches of the federal government, most recently from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, having served as the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation. Under his leadership, the Partnership has been widely praised as a first-class nonprofit organization and thought leader on federal government management.issues.
• Moderator: Elliot C. Williams, training coordinator for the National Press Club Journalism Institute.

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit organization that takes a nonpartisan approach to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Through its Center for Presidential Transition, the organization has worked with presidential candidates and their transition teams for over 15 years to provide assistance on how to organize and execute a transition; help agency career executives prepare for new political leadership; offer guidance to political appointees on the unique aspects of government leadership; and engage with Congress to promote transition reforms.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute depends on grants, foundation funds, and contributions from individuals like you. Your donation today allows the Institute to offer the majority of its programming at no cost.